In the light of the positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from some sewage samples collected in Sham Shui Po, Southern District and Tsuen Wan, the Home Affairs Department (including the Sham Shui Po District Office (SSPDO), the Southern District Office (SDO) and the Tsuen Wan District Office (TWDO)) today (February 18) distributed a total of about 5 000 COVID-19 rapid test kits (rapid test kits) to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the Districts.

     The SSPDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Orchid House for voluntary testing through the Housing Department and the property management company of So Uk Estate. Moreover, the SSPDO also distributed rapid test kits to cleansing workers and property management staff working in Mei Foo Sun Chuen for voluntary testing through the property management company of the estate.

     The TWDO also distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Block L of Allway Gardens for voluntary testing through its property management company.
      
     In addition, the SDO distributed rapid test kits to cleansing workers and property management staff working in Wah Fu (I) Estate and Wah Fu (II) Estate for voluntary testing through the property management companies of the Estates.

     The Home Affairs Department made the above arrangements in the hope of identifying infected persons early, so as to better protect the infected persons and their families. However, the Government stresses that rapid test kit testing is not a substitute for the Government's compulsory testing requirement.

     For more information on rapid test kits, please view the following demonstration video produced by the Centre for Health Protection, the Department of Health: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeDummTkpA0&t=1s.

     ​The Government appeals for the co-operation of members of the public to safeguard the health of themselves and their families by undergoing testing on a voluntary basis and fighting the virus together. The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or had contact with cases that tested positive), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons to reduce the transmission risks of COVID-19.

Ends/Friday, February 18, 2022
Issued at HKT 21:40

NNNN